The child was riding an electric scooter down Messenger Lane, which ends in a cul-de-sac, when a car pulled along side and rolled down the window, police said in a statement. The child heard a man speak in an “older voice” to say hello, then demanded, in a different, menacing tone, that the child “get in the car.”

Police said the 9 year old ran home. The vehicle was described as a silver or light gray compact car, possibly with four doors.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police at (908) 782-8889.